For cycling newcomer Ella, an Executive Assistant at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the event will be the latest achievement in a journey that has seen her transform her lifestyle and loose almost five stone in weight. The charity cause is also one that is close to her heart as she was a premature baby and her twin sister Catherine sadly survived just eight hours.

The ride sets out from the East Sussex National, near Uckfield, on Saturday 11 May and offers a choice of countryside routes of 21, 40 or 65 miles.

Having also just run her first half marathon, cycling is now part of Ella’s new healthy lifestyle and the Action DIVA Sussex is the first organised ride she’s signed up for. Committing herself to events has been a good way to maintain her motivation and she’s getting ready to tackle the 40-mile route.

Ella says: “I had been overweight for most of my life and always struggled with it. Last April my mum had a heart attack aged 56 and it was a real wake up call. I had to build my fitness from scratch – I couldn’t even manage a lunge – but now I have so much energy. I feel amazing and I’m really looking forward to the ride, especially as it will raise money for a charity whose work helps premature babies.”

Ella and her sister were born three months early and she weighed just 2lb 5 ½ ounces at birth. Catherine’s lungs were too underdeveloped for her to survive while Ella spent the first three months of her life in hospital. Over 60,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK each year and Action Medical Research has a long track record of supporting research to tackle premature birth and help treat sick and vulnerable babies.

The charity is also currently supporting work around Down syndrome, epilepsy, sickle cell disease, and diabetes, as well as some rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.

Anyone interested in taking part in The Action DIVA Sussex, supported by leading bike brand Trek, can still do so. Entry costs £28 and participants also need to raise a minimum of £50 in sponsorship. Sign up now at www.action.org.uk/diva-rides

Action Medical Research is a UK-wide charity saving and changing children’s lives through medical research. We want to make a difference in:

tackling premature birth and treating sick and vulnerable babies

helping children affected by disability, disabling conditions and infections

targeting rare diseases that together severely affect many forgotten children.

Just one breakthrough, however small, can mean the world.

Charity reg.nos 208701 and SC039284.

The RIDE100 and Action DIVA series are supported by Trek Bicycle, a global leader in the design and manufacture of bicycles and related products. Trek believes the bicycle can be a simple solution to many of the world’s most complex problems, and is committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent people from using bicycles more often for transportation, recreation, and inspiration. For more information about Trek, visit www.trekbikes.com